USNS Kanawha Becomes First Auxiliary Ship to Receive Presidential Unit Citation
The USNS Kanawha, a Military Sealift Command oil replenishment ship, will receive the Presidential Unit Citation in mid-July 2026 for its support of the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury. This is the first time an auxiliary ship has received this honor in MSC’s 77-year history. During a 204-day deployment, the Kanawha delivered over 17 million gallons of fuel and 3,000 pallets of supplies across 113 replenishments, operating in the Caribbean and against Iranian forces.
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Military Sealift Command Ship USNS Kanawha Receives Rare Presidential Unit Citation
The USNS Kanawha, a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler under the Military Sealift Command, is set to receive the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) in July 2026, making it the first auxiliary ship in history to earn the nation's highest military honor for unit-level combat valor. During its 204-day deployment in support of Operation Epic Fury, the ship delivered over 17 million gallons of fuel and 3,000 pallets of supplies, performing 113 replenishments to 29 U.S. and coalition vessels across the 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets. The award places the Kanawha alongside elite units such as Army Rangers on D-Day, the 1st Cavalry Division in the Ia Drang Valley, and the Navy SEALs who killed Osama bin Laden. The ceremony in mid-July will be the first PUC ever awarded to a Military Sealift Command vessel in its 77-year history.
Military TimesMilitary Sealift Command ship USNS Kanawha makes history with rare combat award
The USNS Kanawha, a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler under Military Sealift Command, will receive the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) in mid-July 2026, becoming the first auxiliary ship and the first MSC vessel in 77 years to receive the nation's highest military honor for unit-level combat valor. During its 204-day deployment, the ship supported the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury, delivering over 17 million gallons of fuel, 3,000 pallets of supplies, and performing 113 replenishments for 29 U.S. and coalition vessels across the U.S. 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets. The award places the Kanawha alongside elite units such as Army Rangers on D-Day and the Navy SEALs who killed Osama Bin Laden. The Ford Carrier Strike Group collectively received the PUC last month for its actions during the same operation.
Navy TimesMilitary Sealift Command Ships Earn Historic Presidential Unit Citation
The Military Sealift Command oiler USNS Kanawha and cargo ship USNS William McLean are set to receive the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) in mid-July 2026, making them the first-ever auxiliary ships to earn the nation's highest unit-level combat valor award. During a 204-day deployment, the Kanawha delivered over 17 million gallons of fuel and 3,000 pallets of supplies to 29 U.S. and coalition vessels across three fleets, supporting the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury. The award places the civilian-crewed ships alongside elite units like Army Rangers and Navy SEALs. The PUC has been awarded only roughly 100 times since World War II.
Military TimesMilitary Sealift Command Ships Make History with Rare Combat Award
The USNS Kanawha and USNS William McLean, both Military Sealift Command auxiliary vessels, are set to receive the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) in mid-July 2026, becoming the first non-commissioned auxiliary ships in history to earn the nation's highest unit-level combat honor. The award recognizes their role in supporting the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury. During a 204-day deployment, the Kanawha operated across the U.S. 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets, delivering over 17 million gallons of fuel and 3,000 pallets of supplies through 113 replenishments to 29 U.S. and coalition vessels. The award places the ships alongside elite units such as D-Day Army Rangers and the SEALs from Operation Neptune Spear. The Kanawha is a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler crewed by civilian mariners.
Navy TimesMilitary Sealift Command Ships Make History with Rare Combat Award
The USNS Kanawha and USNS William McLean, civilian-crewed auxiliary ships under the Military Sealift Command, are set to receive the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) in mid-July 2026. This marks the first time auxiliary vessels have received the nation's highest unit-level combat honor, which has been awarded only about 100 times since World War II. The ships supported the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury. The Kanawha completed a 204-day deployment, delivering over 17 million gallons of fuel and 3,000 pallets of supplies to 29 U.S. and coalition vessels across three fleets. The award places these logistics ships alongside elite units such as Army Rangers at D-Day and the Navy SEALs involved in Operation Neptune Spear.
Navy TimesUSNS Kanawha becomes first MSC ship to receive Presidential Unit Citation for Operation Epic Fury support
The USNS Kanawha, a Military Sealift Command oil replenishment ship, will receive the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) in mid-July, becoming the first auxiliary vessel in MSC history to earn the nation's highest unit-level combat honor. The award recognizes the ship's support of the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury from February 28 to May 1, 2026, which included operations against Iran and in the Caribbean. During this period, the Kanawha completed 113 replenishments, delivering over 17 million gallons of fuel, acting as a 'floating warehouse' for sustained naval operations. The ship's civilian mariners previously received the Navy Unit Commendation for their work against Houthi militants from October 2023 to May 2024. The PUC award ceremony was rescheduled from July 2 to mid-July.
Task & PurposeUSNS Kanawha to Receive Presidential Unit Citation for Combat Support
The USNS Kanawha, a Military Sealift Command oil replenishment ship, will receive the Presidential Unit Citation, the nation's highest unit-level military honor for combat valor, becoming the first auxiliary ship in MSC history to receive this award. The citation recognizes the ship's support of the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury, which involved operations against Iranian forces and military activities in the Caribbean. During its deployment, the crew completed 113 replenishments, delivering over 17 million gallons of fuel, functioning as a 'floating warehouse' to sustain naval operations. The Ford Carrier Strike Group was collectively awarded the PUC last month for actions between February 28 and May 1, 2026. The Kanawha's civilian crew previously received the Navy Unit Commendation for actions against Houthi militants in 2023-2024. The award ceremony, originally scheduled for July 2, has been rescheduled to mid-July.
Task & PurposeUSNS Kanawha to receive Presidential Unit Citation for support in Operation Epic Fury
The USNS Kanawha, a Military Sealift Command oil replenishment ship, will receive the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest U.S. unit-level military honor for combat valor, becoming the first auxiliary ship in MSC history to earn the award. The citation recognizes its support of the Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury. During its deployment, the Kanawha conducted 113 replenishments, delivering over 17 million gallons of fuel to U.S. and partner ships. The ship accompanied the Ford group during a near-record deployment that included operations in the war with Iran and Caribbean missions. The crew previously received the Navy Unit Commendation for heroism against Houthi militants in the Middle East. The award ceremony, originally scheduled for July 2, has been rescheduled to mid-July.
Task & Purpose